Wales end an eight-match losing streak

LOSING, OVER: Wales' George North (second left) celebrates with team-mates after his late try sealed a 16-6 victory over France in Paris.

A last-gasp try by George North helped defending champions Wales to a 16-6 win against France in the Six Nations at the Stade de France today, ending an eight-match losing streak and further denting Les Bleus' pride.

Flyhalf Dan Biggar chipped through towards wing North, who shrugged off Morgan Parra's tackle and dived in at the corner with eight minutes left after Frederic Michalak and Leigh Halfpenny had scored two penalties each.

Halfpenny converted and added a penalty five minutes from time to seal Wales's first win since they beat France at the Millennium Stadium to claim the Grand Slam in last year's Six Nations.

France, who had not lost their first two championship games since 1982, now face a difficult trip to England in two weeks' time, while Wales will take restored confidence into their match against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

"We always knew that we could win, but we had to dig very deep to take that win against France. It's a great feeling," Halfpenny told French TV channel France 2.

Interim coach Rob Howley told a news conference: "It's been a long time since we've won a game. Today we were on the right side of the scoreboard."

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France Flyhalf Michalak said: "We defended well but we lacked efficiency in attack, just like last week."

"In November we were much quicker, there was more movement in our game," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre told reporters, referring to his team's notable wins against Argentina and Australia last November.

France, who had started the championship with an embarrassing defeat against Italy, and Wales, who were beaten by Ireland, both defended well but were toothless in attack on a chilly Parisian evening.

With Mathieu Bastareaud making his first start in almost three years, Les Bleus once again lacked flair.

Wales looked nothing like the team who claimed the Grand Slam last year until the final minutes.

Their late rally provoked an angry reaction from the Stade de France crowd, who booed the French players off the pitch at the final whistle.

FIRST FORAY

Wales began well with scrumhalf Mike Phillips breaking through a couple of tackles and coming close to the line on a churned-up pitch that quickly deteriorated following heavy rain in Paris.

Biggar tried a drop goal from distance early on but it fell a long way short, while the game was ten minutes old before France made their first foray into the Welsh half.

France went ahead against the run of play thanks to a Michalak penalty after the Wales pack collapsed a scrum 40 metres from the posts.

Halfpenny levelled with an easy penalty after Jocelino Suta failed to roll away.

Bastareaud and Jocelin Suta threatened with powerful runs and France looked set to be rewarded with a try after an extended spell of possession, but the Wales defence held firm and Halfpenny eventually cleared.

The Wales fullback made it 6-3 just minutes into the second half with another penalty straight in front of the posts.

France reshuffled their backline with Francois Trinh-Duc coming on for the injured wing Benjamin Fall and switching positions with Yoann Huget at fullback.

Trinh-Duc missed a routine drop goal as France opted against going for a try when well inside the 22-metre line.